Hey friends! I'm excited to share some photos from a recent project I worked on called Hank's Juicy Beef. Located at 84 Chambers Street in Tribeca, Hank's Juicy Beef serves delicious, Italian-style beef sandwiches made with grass-fed, pasture-raised, hormone and antibiotic-free beef. The sandwiches are marinated in a special au jus, topped with pickled vegetables, and served hot and juicy on a plump Italian-style roll. Owner Henry Tibensky, aka Hank, grew up in Oak Park, Illinois surrounded by some of the best Italian beef joints in town. Using a recipe that has been in his family for generations, Hank aims to bring authentic, Chicago-style beef to the Big Apple. He wanted the design of this casual spot to be hip and modern while paying homage to his midwestern roots. The restaurant feels clean and modern with a classic Tribeca vibe and a jungalicious accent wall. Keep reading for more details, and a full tour of the space!

If you've ever dreamed of having a fireplace, but don't actually have a chimney, you're in luck! Now you can create a gorgeous focal point in your home without the need of an existing chimney. Hearth Cabinet makes beautiful ventless fireplaces that use a safe, clean-burning gel fuel cartridge system. They are the only ventless fireplaces approved for use in New York City, and are great for apartment dwellers. I recently visited their showroom, and was impressed with their quality. While it's not a roaring fire, the flame looks really good - substantial and dynamic. And it also makes a soothing crackling sound, and brings warmth into the room. You can choose from a bunch of different styles, and customize each unit to create a stunning fireplace in your own home. Keep reading to see pictures from my visit to the showroom, and learn more details about the product including how much it costs!

The New York real estate scene is pretty crazy these days. Prices were recently at an all time high, and new developments are constantly popping up all over the city. To venture into this market as a buyer or seller can be a bit overwhelming and intimidating. That's why it's important to work with the right people. My friend Zack Sosne is one of the best, and would be an excellent guide on your next real estate journey. Zack and I met nearly 10 years ago at the New York School of Interior Design, and he is a savvy real estate agent as well as a trained interior designer and construction manager. While most agents come into the field with a law degree or finance background, Zack has brought his design eye and renovation experience to the table to create a one-stop showroom to meet all of your real estate and renovation needs. In 2012, he along with Craig Roth of NextStopNY, and Lindsay Joyce of 3F Living opened the first joint showroom of NextStopNY and 3F Living, and are working on their second location opening this fall. In the past seven years they have developed a loyal customer base through both selling and renovating over 100 NYC apartments. I interviewed Zack to learn a bit more about how he got here, what he is currently working on, and how he envisions growth in this niche market. Keep reading for the full scoop:

Hey everyone. I'm excited to announce that a new Indian restaurant that I designed, Aahar, is now open at 10 Murray Street in Tribeca. Aahar is a family-owned restaurant specializing in North Indian cuisine, and it was a pleasure working with owners Prashant and Sonal to help them bring their dream to life. Aahar is Sanskrit for nourishment, and that's what they strive to deliver, serving carefully prepared, authentic Indian food made with savory spices and quality ingredients. The restaurant is located in a historic Tribeca setting, and has a classic cafe style with a touch of Indian flair. The design of the space is clean and contemporary with pops of coral, turquoise and gold. Keep reading for a tour of the space, resource list, and lots more pics:

Like many people, I am deeply saddened by the recent shooting attacks at The Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, FL. It's hard to know how to respond to such awful news, but I hope we can come together to share our grief and figure out ways that we can end this senseless violence. You can support the victims' families and survivors of this terrible attack by making a donation to this GoFundMe page.

In honor of the tropical beauty of Florida, I've pulled together a chic and modern living room with lots of natural materials and luscious plant life. I love spending time on the beach in beautiful weather, and dream of having a Florida beach house one of these days. If you're in the market for a dream home in paradise, check out these listings for Florida real estate, and don't forget to pack your swimsuit! A good rule of thumb if you love working with color is to stick with neutral, natural materials for the major items like the sofa, accent chair, and coffee table. Then you can bring in more color with other elements. You could paint the walls or introduce a bold wallpaper for a dramatic statement. And finally you can play with adding pops of color in the art and accent pieces. When you start with a neutral palette, you can always mix and match your accessories to change up the colors if you get tired of them down the line. Keep reading for more details and source info:

I recently got to visit a really cool place in Long Island City, Queens called Materials for the Arts. Materials for the Arts (MFTA) collects discarded items from businesses and individuals that can be repurposed for art projects. They have a huge 35,000 square foot warehouse where these items are available for free to nonprofit organizations with arts programming, government agencies, and public schools. In addition to providing all these wonderful art supplies at no cost, they do a lot of great work to promote the arts in schools with outreach and education programs. Throughout the year they host several artists in residence who exhibit their work at the onsite gallery. They also have several classrooms where they lead workshops for educators, and classes on working with unconventional materials for art projects. I met with Education Associate Omar Olivera for a tour of the space. Keep reading to learn more about Materials for the Arts, and see lots of pics of their gigantic warehouse filled with fun art supplies:

One of my most favorite things to do is tour historic homes, and a few months ago I got to visit one of the amazing Hunterfly Road houses at the Weeksville Heritage Center in Crown Heights Brooklyn. Weeksville was one of America's first free black communities, and the discovery of the Historic Hunterfly Road houses is pretty incredible. In the 1960's, historians at the Pratt Institute discovered evidence of this lost village while flying overhead for an aerial survey. The houses, which date from 1840-1880, were dug up and restored. They were designated New York Landmarks, and are now part of the Weeksville Heritage Center Museum. The center hosts all kinds of cool activities to bring together artists, writers, musicians, and other creatives to celebrate the rich history of this place. In February, I attended a delightful tea party hosted by executive director Tia Powell Harris where we got to tour one of the historic houses. Keep reading for more details about the tea party, including lots of pics inside one of the houses:

This post is written by contributor Kate Cabiltes, a freelance interior stylist and writer living in Queens. You can follow her on Instagram @fueledbywhimsy and visit her blog Fueled by Whimsy:

Summer is in full swing, and it's time to get tropical. Transform your space into a little piece of paradise with whimsical flamingo and pineapple inspired decor. Keep reading for more details and sources:

Since I did my yoga teacher training last year, I've been trying to be more mindful and eat healthier foods. While I'm not a vegetarian, I have been eating less meat these days in an effort to promote sustainable living. I've actually discovered there are lots of delicious vegetarian dishes out there, and I'm really enjoying exploring new recipes. For today's post, I have enlisted the help of contributor Shelly Stinson. Shelly is a Denver-based freelance writer who is passionate about all things related to healthy living. She pulled together this round-up of totally doable, healthy vegetarian recipes. I tried a couple of them out, and let me tell you, I might just have a new favorite cookie recipe! That's a pretty big deal coming from a cookie monster like me. Keep reading to see the full scoop on some of Shelly's favorite vegetarian recipes - from linguine with caper and green olive sauce to asian inspired quinoa, and more:

Mother's Day is coming up on Sunday, and this year we received an extra special surprise! This gorgeous photo of me and my mom, taken by my super talented sister, Lisa Weatherbee, is featured in an iPhone commercial that has been running all week on ABC, CBS, FOX, AMC, and ESPN. It's been so fun to be featured on TV, and hear from friends and family from around the world who have seen it. My mom said it's the best Mother's Day present she has ever received! You can check out the full video here. It's a really sweet, touching portrait about motherhood, home and family, and it might just make you tear up a little bit. Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers around the world - the powerful women who have been holding it down since the beginning of time.

It's hard to spend 15 minutes on Pinterest nowadays without stumbling upon a beautiful pillow or wallpaper by Rhode Island School of Design graduate Rebecca Atwood -- and for good reason. This Brooklyn-based creative has built up a following with her "luxurious yet simple" textile lines influenced by her New England childhood and recent years in the Big Apple. She draws much inspiration for her intriguing patterns from nature as well as prints she comes across on furniture at flea markets. Read on to learn about the path she took to get here, recent developments for her business and insight into her favorite artists and products at the moment.

Last year I watched a documentary about the fashion industry called The True Cost, and I was deeply disturbed by what I learned. The price of clothing has been decreasing for decades, but the costs to the environment and the overseas laborers who make the majority of our clothing is devastating. The fast fashion industry promotes the idea that clothing is disposable, and designers must churn out new styles at an increasingly fast pace to keep up. But Reformation is a Los Angeles-based clothing company that aims to change all that. They manufacture their clothing in an environmentally-responsible factory using sustainable fabrics and vintage garments. Their workers are paid fair wages, and they strive to achieve sustainability on every level - from using 100% renewable energy suppliers to shipping items in recyclable packaging. While all of that sounds wonderful, it does add up to higher costs for the consumer. I'll be honest - the majority of clothing that I've purchased in my lifetime came from Forever 21, Target, and Old Navy, so the thought of paying $200 for a dress is definitely shocking to me. But sustainability is important to me, and this changes the way I shop and think about fashion. I'd rather spend more on fewer pieces that I truly love, and wear them over and over again. And the truth is, having less clothing makes life so much easier. I don't need a big closet, and I don't have to stress out thinking about what to wear every morning. I pulled together a wish list of my favorite pieces from the Reformation. Simple, classic, and stylish these would make great wardrobe staples that can be worn again and again! Keep reading for the full scoop:

Memphis-born Caroline Z Hurley started creating long before attending the Rhode Island School of Design. After an inspiring trip to Bali following her graduation, she formed her Brooklyn-based home-ware company, Caroline Z Hurley Studio. Inspired by her world travels, but cherishing the importance of creating a home, Caroline's goods are created using a small-scale cottage industry. That means she has hands-on relationships with all of her producers - be it the ceramists in North Carolina or the weavers in Mexico or Guatemala. Read on for insights into how she finds inspiration, what she predicts for her future, her current favorite possessions and artists, and a sneak peek at some of the amazing pieces from her newest collection inspired by her most recent journey to Rome, Italy:

A year ago in this post I wrote about life in the Financial District, I lamented the lack of greenery in my neighborhood and fantasized about a future when our city is lush and green. Well instead of waiting for the world around me to change, I decided to take matters into my own hands and build my very own window garden! Inspired by this project from Martha Stewart Living, I added a glass shelf to my window sill and filled it with plants. It's actually a really simple project, but I cannot tell you how much of a difference it has made! The plants bring so much life and color to my home, and it makes me so happy to watch them grow and thrive. I swear to you've I've never been a plant person, so if I can do it, you can too! Keep reading for more pics, sourcing details, and instructions on how to make your very own window garden:

This post is written by contributor Kate Cabiltes, a freelance interior stylist and writer living in Queens. You can follow her on Instagram @fueledbywhimsy and visit her blog Fueled by Whimsy:

The temperatures are rising, and it feels like spring is only steps away! As you anxiously await the first blooms of spring, why not decorate your home with one of these gorgeous floral-inspired light fixtures. I have rounded up a few of my favorites - some striking and dramatic, and a few that are more subtle - to bring new life to your living space.

For over 12 years, vintage furniture store Baxter & Liebchen has been a beloved resource for high-quality, Scandinavian furniture. While they were located in a Brooklyn warehouse for many years, they moved to their new home at 50 Laight Street in Tribeca about a year ago. Open 7 days a week, this place is a must-visit for design aficionados. Baxter & Liebchen specializes in Scandinavian furniture from the 1940's through the 1960's. They offer a wide selection of tables, chairs, case goods, vintage accessories, and more. The selection is sophisticated and well-made, and has a maturity that distinguishes itself from other mid-century mod furniture. Keep reading to learn more about this amazing place:

I recently spent an incredible week in Shanghai, and I wanted to tell you more about the trip. This past December, I travelled with my mom and sister to visit Shanghai, China. Although my mom is from Hong Kong, and we have been to Hong Kong many times, this was my first visit to Shanghai! I had been dreaming of visiting Shanghai for years, and I didn't know what to expect. It's a bustling jumble of old world meets new, with construction popping up everywhere. The city is so rich in culture, and amazing food, and to visit is truly an eye opening experience. There's so much change happening so fast, and there's just SO. MANY. PEOPLE. The sheer scale of humanity is breath-taking, and I'm so grateful I got to experience this amazing city. Keep reading for a full recap of my trip, including the itinerary of where we stayed and what we ate:

This post is written by contributor Kate Cabiltes, a freelance interior stylist and writer living in Queens. You can follow her on Instagram @fueledbywhimsy and visit her blog Fueled by Whimsy:

Despite the chilly weather, I am a huge fan of trekking to a weekend brunch in the winter with friends and loved ones. For those of us who are lucky enough to live in or near Manhattan, we have such a huge assortment of amazing eateries to choose from. What inspires me possibly even more than a great bloody mary or frittata is the ambience of a well designed bar or restaurant. With Valentine's Day only days away I've pulled together a list of the most jaw-droppingly beautiful brunch spots that NYC has to offer. And you better believe that their fare is equally as lovely! Read on for the full breakdown...

Before you consider buying brand new furniture, be sure to take a look at some of the great new resources out there for pre-owned furniture. Viyet specializes in high-end designer goods, and they make the whole process really simple. You don't have to scour through piles of junk because every item available for sale has been inspected by their team of curators. They make it easy for sellers to unload quality pieces, and shoppers get access to high-end furniture at a fraction of the price. It's a win-win, plus they handle all the delivery arrangements. I skimmed through the listings, and picked out a few of my favorite pieces for an old-world, Bohemian inspired living room. Keep reading for all the details:

Hey friends! I've been trying to live more sustainably in 2016, and I was pretty bummed to learn that my favorite meal of all time (a cheeseburger with fries and a chocolate milkshake!) is actually really bad for the environment. Not only is beef production a big land and water consumer, it's also a major source of greenhouse gas emissions. I've been trying to cut back on my meat consumption lately, and have been exploring vegan food options - no easy task for a burger-loving, veggie-phobe like myself! But thankfully, I discovered the wonderful world of chef Chloe Coscarelli. I went to check out her restaurant by CHLOE in New York City's Greenwich Village, and I was blown away. They make everything-you-can-dream-of vegan food: cupcakes, cookies, burgers, mac and cheese, bacon! 100% vegan, house-made daily. What!? Everything I tried was surprisingly delicious, and I can't wait to go back for more. I had no idea eating vegan could be this much fun. Keep reading to learn more, and see pics of all the yummy foods I tried: